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"Donal is fro country in the north east of Sabithia," the Lieutenant grinned "Quiet, reserved people He moved to Laerth to live with cousins, start a new life in far attentions of eous tactics to get Donal

"She succeeded though?" I asked laughing, not nearly as uncomfortable as I had been

Lieutenant Chaeron snorted "Kirsta had him wed in under two months They’ve been married three years now, and have two children;fained roith one another I sed ed hiht fell we crossed first the River Silvera, and a while later, the River Sabith, and as we passed through s in the distance between the trees Co out of the woods, I swatted at another insect that had decided my skin was a tasty treat Not even twenty four hours in and already I was feeling the irritation of travelling

"Sabith Town" Wolfe stopped his horse, turning to us as he pointed at the large town in the distance "We’ll rest here for the night"

I swear I alrinned at the Lieutenant, and with renewed energy the Guard loped into a canter, thebehind us in the woods I was assured they would catch up, however

Seee inn on the outskirts of it I was thankful that ouldn’t be trotting our way through the quiet streets at this ti everyone from their beds

The inn keeper, a tall, stout wo out to us, and I raised my brow at her manners Then I smiled Her robust confidence reht!" She called heartily, as Wolfe dismounted They shook hands and it became clear tome much business, Captain Wolfe" She nodded to us all, her eyes landing on raceful curtsey at coait "My Lady!" She called up toto realise that this woman never spoke She barked "Well" She turned to Wolfe "You’ll be needing a room for that fine lass As for you and your ood few can share The rest will need to bunk down in the stables, I’m afraid"

"That’s fine," Wolfe assured her He spun around to address Lieutenant Chaeron who dismounted "Lieutenant, I’ll ask you to take a roo the rooms are, see how many of our men can share I’ll bunk in the stables with the rest"

Taken aback by Wolfe’s order, having thought he would’ve been too spoiled to ‘rough’ it with the rest of the an to disround when I felt a hand on round I knew his scent before I even turned "I can e," I bit out

"I know," Wolfe replied coldly "But appearances, my Lady, appearances"

I made a face and he rolled his eyes at entle it away but he held an?" he hissed "I have to show you to your room"

"You’re such a fusspot," I exhaled and allowed hiaped in wonder at the openness of it To our left was an arched doorway that led into a large eating area and bar A fire crackled at one end and I shuddered at the thought of its delicious heat To our right was a narrow hallway I guessed led to rooms and before us a massive open stairway that led to the rooms upstairs

"Roo broadly She thrust the key towards us and Wolfe took it before I could

"Thank you, Mags, you’re the best"

She blushed at his ss fell for Wolfe’s charm, no woman alive (except me!) was safe

"You know I’irl you know"

He grunted at that and led e A four poster with clean cotton sheets and woven quilts sat at one end, and lo and behold a lovely fire already lit, flickered brilliantly at the other Very nice Not that I gave positive co you up ahere and there What in haven was he looking for? "Everything seems in order" He marched stiffly back to the doorway

"What? No rookery thieves behind the changing screen?" I asked sarcastically

I was rewarded with a disdainful look "Just lock the door behind ed in answer just to annoy hi in his wake he said, "And stop flirting with my men, my Lady Soe, and without hi bag

Chapter Seven

Although Wolfe had pro hurried us through the first day, he still kept up what I considered a gruelling pace He was only giving us a fifteen h I understood (ood tiet there any faster if we all died from exhaustion Plus the , considering this was supposed to be a casual diplo us a half hour break

By the third day of our journey ere close to reaching the northern border of Sabithia The night before we had been given shelter by one of the wealthiest farmers I had ever met Chaeron told me no one kne they bred their sheep, or worked the wool, but the Farmer Soel and his fa the rich with the finest wool And as Farmer Soel had welcomed me into his home, I had found his face familiar Clearly, I had seen him at the marketplace in Silvera I had been led inside with Lieutenant Chaeron The rest of theoutside or in the stables Wolfe had insisted I be chaperoned, but at the glare I drew hiested Lieutenant Chaeron accompany me while he kept an eye on the et back on the horse, but as the hours wore on I realisedused to the saddle Thank haven for s as we cantered into what Chaeron called Lumberland Most of the northern Sabithia was covered in forestation, and the province purchased , furniture etcetera frons that had been posted to allow travellers to pass through safely, careful not to put us in the path of falling trees and such By the ti where a s its quaint beauty, the day had grown dark as it gave into night